Why Buy Our Horses?

History of the Icelandic Horse

The Icelandic horse is one of the world's most unique breeds of horses. Horses were first introduced to Iceland with Viking settlers in the 9th century, and around the year 940, the import of any new horses to the country was completely banned, a law that is still in effect today. Any horse that leaves the country can never come back.

​

Throughout the centuries, the Icelandic horse faced some of the most extreme evolutionary pressures the world could throw at them. Rough terrain, some of the worst weather on the planet, harsh winters, countless volcanic eruptions, and famine. The breed was brought to the brink of extinction on more than one occasion, but the result of all this misery is arguably the world's toughest horse breed. A horse that is sure-footed and can run in almost any terrain, and has almost endless stamina. A horse that stays outside in an open field for the entire year, surviving the most extreme of Icelandic winters, growing a thick winter fur to protect it from the elements. He's a good swimmer and can carry a much higher percentage of his body mass than the average horse. They have a uniquely steady temperament, and while you might find that they are quite aggressive as a breed, they also don't scare easily and can remain calm in situations where almost any other breed would completely freak out. The Icelandic horse also has a large variety of types and characters, and you will easily find a horse for almost any type of rider, from hardened experts who have been riding all their lives, to little kids who have never once sat on a horse.

​

Why buy an Icelandic Horse?

On top of all this, the Icelandic horse is a 5-gaiter and possesses the two unique gaits of Tölt and Skeið. Tölt being a medium-fast gait that is probably the most ideal traveling gait one can ask for, so steady that one can fill a pint with beer and ride with it full speed in one hand without spilling it. Skeið, also known as "Pace", is a two-beat gait where the horses move the front and back leg on the same side simultaneously so they glide in the air and can allow the horse to reach very high speeds for a short amount of time. Not every Icelandic horse has every gait; however, they all have varying abilities in performing them.

​

The Icelandic horse has been growing rapidly in popularity worldwide over the last few decades, and every year more and more countries become a home for their very own branch of Icelandic horses. We at Kambur Horses track down and buy quality horses from around Iceland, train them and export them globally. Even though you will likely be able to find an Icelandic horse in your country, you really should consider importing one directly from Iceland. Thanks to their unique upbringing, which involves them growing up in large open fields in large packs and often spending all of their time outside, even during the toughest of winters, Icelandic horses that are actually born and bred in Iceland have a reputation of being hardier than their foreign-born counterparts, have stronger characters, and are more sure-footed. Plus, you get the bragging rights of having a true Icelandic horse.

​

Why choose Kambur Horses?

At Kambur Horses, we pride ourselves in providing fine Icelandic horses to riders around the world. Our horses are carefully selected from a network of local enthusiasts and breeders, and we personally work and train with each of them. We take our horses' test rides to the next level by letting them work in our horse rental for a while. Here, we observe how they handle different kinds of people and challenging trail riding routes, such as busy streets, rocky mountain terrains, river crossings, and riding on the beach, to name a few. Our horses are sturdy and brave, making even the most frightening situations routine.

​

Here at Kambur Horses our animals are viewed as part of the family. We do much more than just the usual basic training. We cuddle them, we spoil them with treats, we joke around with them. We take them on fun rides as much as we focus on their development in training. They live on extremely large fields in a big mixed herd, which is not only to guarantee their happiness but also teaches them social behavior around other horses. 

​

Our goal is to find each horse the perfect home with an owner who appreciates its unique characteristics and temperament. By getting to know our horses on a personal level, we can ensure that they're matched with the right owner. As a small Icelandic company, we have access to some of the most robust and sure-footed Icelandic horses globally.

​

​

So please, go ahead and have a browse through our "stable" or contact us to let us know, what kind of horse you are looking for.